The power of family connection isn’t always found in big gestures — sometimes it lives in a single question, a laugh, or the steady presence of someone who truly listens.

In this episode of The Grandpa Channel, Rivers is joined by Mike Matthews, who shares the unforgettable story of his grandmother, Eileen. What began as seasonal holiday visits blossomed into a friendship when she moved in with family — and eventually inspired the “Grandma Stand” in New York City, where strangers lined up for the chance to sit and talk with her.

Eileen’s gift wasn’t giving advice. It was listening and understanding, creating a safe space where people could be honest, vulnerable, and fully themselves. From heartbroken friends to curious strangers, she lifted thousands of lives with her quiet empathy.

Through her example, Mike discovered that grandparents don’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s presence over perfection that creates the deepest connections. Vulnerability and intimacy — the willingness to admit mistakes, to laugh, to cry, to simply sit together — are the real legacy grandparents leave behind.

You’ll hear about:

• How Eileen’s listening superpower inspired strangers to feel “lifted”

• The six-year journey of the NYC Grandma Stand project

• Why vulnerability builds intimacy across generations

• How grandparents can be a source of peace and connection beyond their own family

This conversation is a gentle reminder: you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to show up, listen, and love.

👉 Pull up a chair, take a breath, and be inspired to bring more connection into your own family.

Follow the adventures of the Grandma Stand & the Grandmothers on rotation on Instagram @grandmastand